chordata
/kɔ:'deitə/
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Definition
- Proper noun:
- A major taxonomic phylum in the animal kingdom: "Chordata" is the scientific name for the phylum comprising all animals that possess, at some stage of their life, a notochord, a dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, and a post-anal tail. This group includes vertebrates (like mammals, birds, fish) and some invertebrate subphyla.
Usage
- Proper noun:
- The phylum Chordata is one of the most familiar groups in the animal kingdom.
- All mammals, birds, and reptiles are classified within Chordata.
Advanced Usage
- In taxonomic hierarchy: Used in biological classification to denote a specific high-level rank (phylum) above class and below kingdom.
- The species was definitively placed within the phylum Chordata based on embryonic development.
Variants and Related Words
- Chordate (n): Any member of the phylum Chordata.
- A tunicate is a type of marine chordate.
- Chordate (adj): Relating to or characteristic of chordates.
- The chordate features are evident in the embryo.
Synonyms
- Vertebrata: A subphylum within Chordata, often used informally to refer to the most well-known chordates (animals with backbones), though this is not a perfect synonym as Chordata includes non-vertebrates.
Noun
- comprises true vertebrates and animals having a notochord